Meadow at Saint-Mammès
Painting on canvas • Alfred Sisley (1839–1899)
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing plein air techniques with broken brushstrokes, impasto in the foreground, and rapid, gestural application to capture atmospheric light effects.
Creation Period
circa 1880-1885
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 54 x 73 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A vibrant landscape depicting a meadow at Saint-Mammès during spring or summer. The composition features a foreground of wild grass and flowers, a rustic wooden fence dividing the middle ground, and rolling green hills under a bright, cloud-filled sky. A small figure is visible working or walking near the fence line, emphasizing the scale and the serene relationship between nature and human activity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the color saturation remains high, though minor surface dirt or aged varnish may be present. The image shows a digital screen display which can distort actual tactile condition.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500,000 - $3,500,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,000,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely passed through major Parisian dealers such as Durand-Ruel or Georges Petit in the late 19th/early 20th century; currently held in a private collection or featured in recent digital exhibits like the Samsung Art Store.
Art Historical Significance
Sisley was arguably the most consistent of the Impressionists in his dedication to landscape painting 'en plein air'. This work exemplifies his mastery of capturing the specific light of the Île-de-France region, focusing on the sky as a primary structural element (taking up nearly half the canvas). It represents his mature period where his brushwork became more rhythmic and expressive.
Notable Features
Signature 'Sisley' visibly inscribed in the lower right corner; characteristic use of 'Sisley Blue' in the sky; distinct verticality of the fence posts providing a rhythmic counterpoint to the horizontal landscape planes.
Condition Issues
Potential light craquelure consistent with age; minor frame abrasion at the edges; slight yellowing of the original varnish layer (if not recently cleaned).
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove surface pollutants and oxidized varnish; mounting in a museum-quality gilt wood frame; display under UV-protective glass in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity (45-55% RH).